In his regular gig with the Financial Times, Tim Harford has the unusual job title of “undercover economist”. But he’s out in the open throughout the riveting and grim Skint: The Truth About Britain’s Broken Economy (Channel 4, Monday, 9pm), reporting from the frontline of a country facing into a potentially historic general election on July 4th. It’s bleak viewing, and sadly, there won’t be much Schadenfreude for Irish viewers – this isn’t the socio-economic equivalent of watching England wheeze their way to victory over Slovakia at the Euros and then carry on as if they’ve just beaten Brazil in the World Cup.
Harford’s mission is to honestly explain the woes that bedevil Britain’s moribund economy and offer potential solutions. Unfortunately, many of these systemic flaws are equally relevant to Ireland – for instance, the dysfunctional planning system. “If you bring forward schemes of a reasonably moderate scale, you’re pushing a rock up a hill,” a legal expert tells Harford.
“International investors look at the British planning system with a mix of curiosity and horror. The extent of discretionary scope afforded to decision makers ..
. leads to appeals where lawyers get involved.” READ MORE A grim look at a broken Britain but are we in any position to scoff? Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+: 10 of the best new shows to watch in July Mother: Keelin Moncrieff’s new podcast freewheels through the mothering life in all its glory and g.
